Easel



-provide---simple and eflicien t means associatedaootssiji i g I ,I f: Wiuiani sLKapnelnBl ilailelphia;Pas-assi n to 7' ModernEaseL Company,v a, corporation of Pennsylvania l I. i :ApplicationFebrua a za-i'e aalsmal mama "I'he' invention -relates toimprovements in easels, and is especially --"applicable; to -that type of Peasel in which afframe' for photographs, mirrors orthe like, becomes initself a part of r'the easel struoture, and in which such frames at; provided with 'a --back which is usually removably associated with triermmeana which-backis provided with an ea'sel prop and means for securing its angular adjustment. 1 9 i I The-especial purpose of the invention is to therewith for securingthe" adjustment between said-backand-aprop and also for facilitating 'with great easevery slight movements of adjustment.

As the entire-adjustable supporting means is associated with the removable back, it follows that these backs with the adjustable supporting mechanism may be provided to fit standard or stock frames without any change or'alteration therein.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates merely by way of example, suitable means for the' embodiment of my invention;-

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of the complete frame and easel embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on a larger scale and partly in section, of the removable back with the easel arrangement. 7

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on a still larger scale, on line 3,3 of Fig. 4.. v

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4, 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective with part broken away. 7 V r Fig. 6 is a front perspective of the complete frame and easel on a smaller scale.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. p

In the example shown, the frame I0 is usually of. metal and provided with front and rear flanges II and I2 forming a channel for receiving the picture or mirror and the back piece. The rear flange is omitted at' the bottom of the frame to provide a passage for the insertion and withdrawal of the picture, or mirror and back piece. All of which is well known in the art.

In accordance with the present invention the back piece I3 may be made of any stiff sheet material, such as metal, wood, cardboard or the.

like, and is adapted to be inserted inthe frame undertherear flanges I2, after the other elements have been assembled therein.

The present invention comprises the construction, arrangement and association of the prop and adjusting'means with this back piece.

To this back piece I3 is secured, by a hinge, as

at M, the upper .endof .the propfil'5. Y A'tstrut element III .is, also seemed llto the back. piece ...I:3 iats2ai ,poiht belowthe hinge*-lg4,:by :the hinge :IB. other end of the strut .e'leme'nt'I'I .is pivot-- .ally secured, .or hingedasat '19, to asslideielement .20 having aslot'2I extending from its freelend 1 3503116311 ther end which is connectedzto ithe .pjlvbtjfla... V 7 V v,

u'ilhezpropcl5, in the 'presentexample, made'ot Ztwo flanged sheet :metal :elements telescoping together so to :leave a .space between .said' sheets; the under. sheet having the longitudinal slot. or channel.2.2 cutth'erein. IThis:slot 22 is adapted to receive :the slideielement :20,.while the pivot I9 is made to extend i011 zeachzside :of-said slidemem ber beneath the opposite margins'of the slot so 7 as to maintain said slide member within the the parts in the desired position of adjustment I provide the following mechanism.

In about the middle part of the opposite or upper wall I5 of the prop member I5, from that containing the channel 22,1 provide an opening for receiving the flanged housing element 23, which provides a housing for the cam lever 24. This lever 24 is provided with a pivot 25 thaving extensions which project fromeach side of the cam lever 24, through slots or enlarged openings 26, in the sides of said housing element, and spaced from the flange 21 of said element 23. The housing element 23 fits snugly in the slot 2I of slide member 20 so that the flanking parts of said slide member may move freely on each side of the housing element. This slide member is alsopositioned to slide between the extensions of pivot 25 and the flange 21 of housing element 23. a

Because of the form and arangement of the slots 26 in the sides of housing element 23 through which project the extensions of the pivot 25, the cam portion 28 of lever 24, normally rests 'upon'the bottom 29 of the housing element 23.

It follows that as the enlarged portion of the cam moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4, the pivot 25 secured thereto is raised or movedtoward the flange 21 of the housing 23, and thus serves to clamp the slide member 20 against the housingflange or against the wall I5 supporting same, as the case may be. Thus by pushing 'down the free end oflever 24, after the slide member is brought into position of adjustment, the parts are securely locked in said position.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a frame and easel, the easel comprising a back piece removably secured to the frame, a prop pivotally secured to the back piece, a strut for adjusting the angle between the prop and back piece and means including a member pivoted to the strut and in slidable engagement with the prop, a housing secured to the prop and a cam seated in the housing and operating to lock the sliding member to the prop.

2. The combination with a frame, a prop hav-' ing pivotal relation therewith, a strut having pivotal relation with both the frame and the prop, the proprcomprising two parallel walls forming a passage therebetween and a slide pivoted to the strut movable in saidpassage as means for adjusting the angle of the prop with respect to the frame and means comprising a clampconnected' with the. prop for locking the parts in desired position of adjustment.

3. The combination of a frame and a; back piece. removably' secured to the frame, a prop pivotally secured to the back piece, a strut and a slide member hinged thereto, said strut and slide member connected with the prop and back piece for adjusting their angular relationship, the slide member provided with alongitudinal channel, a housing connected-to the prop and projecting into said channel, and means comprising a cam seated in the housing for locking the parts in required position of adjustment.

4. In an easel, the combination. of a frame, a

back piece removably secured thereto, a channelled prop in hinged relation with the back piece, a strut also in hinged relation with the back piece, a channelled slide member hinged to the strut and slidable in the channel provided in the prop, a housing connected with the prop and projecting into the channel of the slide and a cam member seated in the housing and operating to clamp the slide member to the prop.

5. In an easel, the combination of a frame, a back piece removably secured thereto, a prop in hinged relation with the back piece, a strut also in hinged relation with the back piece, a slide member hinged to the strut and slidable in a channel provided inthe prop and a cam member associated with'the prop and provided with projecting pivot extensions adapted to clamp the slide member in position of adjustment.

6. The combination 'of a frame, a prop pivoted to the frame and provided with a longitudinally extending slot, a strut pivoted to the frame, a slide movable in the slot of the prop, a pivot pin connecting the slide to the strut, said pin having ends projecting, in a plane parallel with the prop, on each side of the slide beyond the side margins of the slot, and means for locking the slide in position of adjustment with the prop.

7. Inan easel, the combinationof a frame, a slotted prop pivoted to the frame, a strut pivoted to the frame, a slide pivoted to the strut and slidable in a slot provided in the prop, a flanged housing secured in the prop and a cam seated in the housing, said cam provided with flanking pin projections for locking the slide-in desired position of adjustment.

WILLIAM s. KAPNE K. 

